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The twenty imports Nicaragua is best placed to replace.

Nicaragua imported USD 9.1bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 3.7bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well and where one country supplies most of them.

USD 1.5bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
70products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
265products Nicaragua already exports well
175product lines imported at USD 10m or more
The twenty

Demand, capability, exposure. Nothing else is claimed.

Each line shows the import bill, where it comes from, the nearest thing Nicaragua already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Nicaragua would pay. That reason is not in any trade record, and it is the maker's question.

This edition is trade and capability only, scored out of 8. The UK edition adds which public bodies buy each product and which region holds the capability; those layers are built only where a country publishes contract awards and regional trade, and Nicaragua does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded, containing indentations, ribs, grooves...HS 721420

    Comes fromCosta Rica 58%, 9 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFerrous waste and scrap: n.e.c. in heading no. 7204 (exports USD 25m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1m
    Countries that export it well45

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 76m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Nicaragua's export strengths in the top 6 per cent (3); Costa Rica supplies 58 per cent (1).

    USD 76mup 61% on 2022
  2. 2

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: nitrogenous, urea, whether or not in aqueous solutionHS 310210

    Comes fromRussia 66%, 11 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 1m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 14m
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 70m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Nicaragua's export strengths in the top 20 per cent (2); Russia supplies 66 per cent (2).

    USD 70mup 1% on 2022
  3. 3

    Fabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics, other than those of headings 60.01 to 60.04, of cotton, dyedHS 600622

    Comes fromGuatemala 42%, 17 source countries
    Nearest export strengthNightshirts and pyjamas: men's or boys', of cotton (not knitted or...
    Exports of this lineUSD 1m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 92m
    Countries that export it well21

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 316m, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Nicaragua's export strengths in the top 18 per cent (2); Guatemala supplies 42 per cent (1).

    USD 316mdown 11% on 2022
  4. 4

    Oil-cake and other solid residues: whether or not ground or in the form of pellets, resulting from the extraction of...HS 230400

    Comes fromUnited States 88%, 7 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFlours, meals and pellets: of meat or meat offal, greaves (exports USD 6m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well18

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 85m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Nicaragua's export strengths in the top 43 per cent (1); United States supplies 88 per cent (2).

    USD 85mup 0% on 2022
  5. 5

    Clothing: worn, and other worn articlesHS 630900

    Comes fromUnited States 79%, 30 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSacks and bags: of a kind used for the packing of goods, of man-made... (exports USD 834k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m
    Countries that export it well29

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 77m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Nicaragua's export strengths in the top 40 per cent (1); United States supplies 79 per cent (2).

    USD 77mdown 19% on 2022
  6. 6

    Cotton: not carded or combedHS 520100

    Comes fromUnited States 100%, 2 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCotton yarn: (not sewing thread), single, of uncombed fibres, 85% or... (exports USD 12m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 28m, top 35 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Nicaragua's export strengths in the top 5 per cent (3); United States supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 28mdown 62% on 2022
  7. 7

    Soap and organic surface-active products: in the form of bars, cakes, moulded shapes, and paper, wadding, felt and...HS 340111

    Comes fromGuatemala 73%, 22 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCandles, tapers and the like (exports USD 2m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 520k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 32m
    Countries that export it well39

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 25m, top 43 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Nicaragua's export strengths in the top 9 per cent (3); Guatemala supplies 73 per cent (2).

    USD 25mup 7% on 2022
  8. 8

    Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts, not fitted with connectorsHS 854449

    Comes fromMexico 49%, 45 source countries
    Nearest export strengthInsulated electric conductors: ignition wiring sets and other wiring... (exports USD 791m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 11m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 47m
    Countries that export it well35

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 212m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Nicaragua's export strengths in the top 45 per cent (1); Mexico supplies 49 per cent (1).

    USD 212mup 6% on 2022
  9. 9

    Food preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10HS 210690

    Comes fromCosta Rica 36%, 39 source countries
    Nearest export strengthExtracts, essences and concentrates: of coffee, and preparations... (exports USD 10m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 9m
    Countries that export it well51

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 128m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Nicaragua's export strengths in the top 20 per cent (2).

    USD 128mup 18% on 2022
  10. 10

    Food preparations: bakers' wares n.e.c. in heading no. 1605, whether or not containing cocoa: communion wafers, empty...HS 190590

    Comes fromGuatemala 25%, 27 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFood preparations: of flour, meal, starch, malt extract or milk... (exports USD 19m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 31m
    Countries that export it well47

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 65m, top 10 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Nicaragua's export strengths in the top 23 per cent (2).

    USD 65mup 11% on 2022
  11. 11

    Cases and containers: n.e.c. in heading 4202, with outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materialsHS 420292

    Comes fromChina 94%, 41 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 331k
    Countries that export it well14

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 59m, top 12 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Nicaragua's export strengths in the top 35 per cent (1); China supplies 94 per cent (2).

    USD 59mup 40% on 2022
  12. 12

    Washing and cleaning preparations: powders, flakes and granules, surface-active, whether or not containing soap...HS 340250

    Comes fromGuatemala 63%, 18 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCandles, tapers and the like (exports USD 2m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 242k
    Countries that export it well39

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 51m, top 17 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Nicaragua's export strengths in the top 30 per cent (1); Guatemala supplies 63 per cent (2).

    USD 51mup 28% on 2022
  13. 13

    Ethylene polymers: sacks and bags (including cones), for the conveyance or packing of goodsHS 392321

    Comes fromEl Salvador 52%, 38 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPlastics: boxes, cases, crates and similar articles for the... (exports USD 26m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 188k; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 86m
    Countries that export it well34

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 39m, top 23 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Nicaragua's export strengths in the top 10 per cent (2); El Salvador supplies 52 per cent (1).

    USD 39mdown 2% on 2022
  14. 14

    Cement clinkers (whether or not coloured)HS 252310

    Comes fromVietnam 30%, 13 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSalt (including table salt and denatured salt): pure sodium chloride... (exports USD 2m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well36

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 38m, top 23 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Nicaragua's export strengths in the top 3 per cent (3).

    USD 38mdown 3% on 2022
  15. 15

    Paper and paperboard: cartons, boxes and cases, of corrugated paper or paperboardHS 481910

    Comes fromEl Salvador 42%, 27 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPaper articles: tablecloths and serviettes, of paper, cellulose... (exports USD 625k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 788k
    Countries that export it well46

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 37m, top 25 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Nicaragua's export strengths in the top 14 per cent (2); El Salvador supplies 42 per cent (1).

    USD 37mdown 6% on 2022
  16. 16

    Plastics: tubes, pipes and hoses thereof, rigid, of polymers of vinyl chlorideHS 391723

    Comes fromCosta Rica 52%, 32 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPlastics: boxes, cases, crates and similar articles for the... (exports USD 26m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 7k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 11m
    Countries that export it well42

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 24m, top 49 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Nicaragua's export strengths in the top 9 per cent (3); Costa Rica supplies 52 per cent (1).

    USD 24mdown 7% on 2022
  17. 17

    Cigarettes: containing tobaccoHS 240220

    Comes fromMexico 78%, 8 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCigars, cheroots and cigarillos: containing tobacco including the... (exports USD 447m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 251k
    Countries that export it well41

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 16m, top 72 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Nicaragua's export strengths in the top 9 per cent (3); Mexico supplies 78 per cent (2).

    USD 16mdown 17% on 2022
  18. 18

    Non-alcoholic beverages: other than non-alcoholic beer, n.e.c. in item no. 2202.10, not including fruit, nut or...HS 220299

    Comes fromMexico 38%, 21 source countries
    Nearest export strengthRum and other spirits obtained by distilling fermented sugar-cane... (exports USD 27m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 3m
    Countries that export it well41

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 58m, top 13 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Nicaragua's export strengths in the top 19 per cent (2).

    USD 58mup 52% on 2022
  19. 19

    Paper articles: toilet paperHS 481810

    Comes fromEl Salvador 56%, 11 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPaper articles: tablecloths and serviettes, of paper, cellulose... (exports USD 625k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 124k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 11m
    Countries that export it well40

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 58m, top 13 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Nicaragua's export strengths in the top 26 per cent (1); El Salvador supplies 56 per cent (1).

    USD 58mup 74% on 2022
  20. 20

    Sanitary towels (pads) and tampons, napkins (diapers), napkin liners and similar articles, of any materialHS 961900

    Comes fromMexico 49%, 20 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or steel wire: grill, netting and fencing, welded at...
    Exports of this lineUSD 8k
    Countries that export it well34

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 57m, top 14 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Nicaragua's export strengths in the top 36 per cent (1); Mexico supplies 49 per cent (1).

    USD 57mup 20% on 2022

One line per customs heading. Products Nicaragua already exports well and still imports are below, because they are a different conversation. No employment figures appear on this page, by decision.

Made here already, still imported

Scale conversations, not capability ones.

  • Tobacco, (not stemmed or stripped) imports USD 91m, exports USD 16m, top source Ecuador 32%
  • Clothing: parts of garments or of clothing accessories, other than those of... imports USD 43m, exports USD 2m, top source Honduras 93%
  • Iron or steel (excluding cast iron): tubes, pipes and hollow profiles (not... imports USD 33m, exports USD 7m, top source Honduras 38%
  • Fabrics, woven: containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, dyed, of weaves... imports USD 33m, exports USD 6m, top source United States 49%
  • Sewing thread: of synthetic filaments, whether or not put up for retail sale imports USD 25m, exports USD 705k, top source Honduras 51%
  • Plastics: boxes, cases, crates and similar articles for the conveyance or... imports USD 46m, exports USD 26m, top source United States 55%
  • Waters: including mineral and aerated, containing added sugar or other... imports USD 36m, exports USD 18m, top source Guatemala 52%
  • Jerseys, pullovers, cardigans, waistcoats and similar articles: of textile... imports USD 17m, exports USD 2m, top source Honduras 99%
  • Iron of steel: barbed wire, twisted hoop or single flat wire and loosely... imports USD 12m, exports USD 494k, top source Costa Rica 32%
  • Tobacco: partly or wholly stemmed or stripped imports USD 25m, exports USD 16m, top source Dominican Republic 50%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 175 lines imported at USD 10m or more: above the median one point, top quarter two, top tenth three.

Proximity to export strengths, 0 to 3, on the same percentiles: the product-space method (Hidalgo, Klinger, Barabasi and Hausmann, Science 2007) on CEPII's BACI file of every bilateral trade flow for 2024, 157 countries and 5,388 products. Two products are close when the countries that export one well tend to export the other well. Only products in the upper half for proximity can enter the list at all: best placed is a proximity claim.

Supply concentration, 0 to 2: one point when a single country supplies 40 per cent or more, two at 60 per cent.

Scope. Manufactured goods, customs chapters 16 to 96, excluding ores, fuels and precious metals. Primary agriculture is out of scope for a page about manufacture.

What it cannot tell you

A map of where to look.

Trade data says what crossed the border, not why. Cost, scale, patents, tariffs and the plain fact that a supplier is good at it are all invisible here. The world file reconciles what each pair of countries reports, so a national customs file would differ in detail. Nothing on this page is a forecast or a promise.

Source: CEPII BACI, HS22, version 202601, years 2022 to 2024. Edition of 2026-11-02. The UK edition with its procurement and regional layers is at /made-here/.

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